Denmark and Norway
- Thread starter Daviedevs
- Start date
Willie_S
New Member
I'm planning to do this July 2017 (ish)
Camping mostly
I like longish days with loads of scenery.
done plenty of European, Scottish and Irish trips.
My questions would be - Mozzies - are they a big issue?
How far appart are the petrol stations up North.
Camping mostly
I like longish days with loads of scenery.
done plenty of European, Scottish and Irish trips.
My questions would be - Mozzies - are they a big issue?
How far appart are the petrol stations up North.
Dogdaze
Well-Known Member
Are you talking about mosquitoes? If you are I would also look into tick repellent, nasty critters that carry encephalitis, not good for adults. Again, a good tick repellent will work.Willie_S said:
On this topic though, I too am planning something similar.
Dazzerb
New Member
Hi W Stroker,Willie_S said:
I forgot you had an S10. Your definition of "longish" is different to most of us
Norway is also high on my bucket list, one day. . .
Cheers, Daz
Davesax36
Active Member
I just did 6500 miles in 12 days around the US. The mileage won't be the issue unless you have issues with the stock seat pushing you forward all day.
sjh
Active Member
I spent a couple of weeks camping there last year on my V-Strom, I didn't get up to Nordkapp but I covered a similar total mileage. I went via DFDS into Brevik then spent several days around Southern / Western / Central Norway before riding back through Sweden / Denmark / Germany / Holland - I covered about 1200 in the last 24 hours to reach a ferry departing from the Hook of Holland... then I had a couple of bonus days in Somerset because the sun was out. Here's a few random thoughts (writing after a week of illness + medication so it might be a little disjointed):
Fast food is hilariously expensive, if your cooking from campsites & buying ingredients (as opposed to meals) it isn't too bad.
Do not be surprised if it rains for every one of the 16 days.
I had no problems with Midges etc (possibly all drowned) - but they often don't bother me that much in the Highlands either.
Obvious things - they drive on the "right" side of the road, the speed limits are in kmh (national being 80kmh), excess is not tolerated, the standard of roads & driving is generally very high, English was either very well spoken or my hideous attempts at Norsk well tolerated everywhere I visited, after adjusting the abundant hours of daylight was utter bliss for biking / camping.
I was very glad I put new tyres on before I left, I only noticed one bike shop near Bud and I wouldn't like to think what a new set of rubber would cost, although garish signage is less prevalent there and I wasn't exactly searching them out so I'm sure there are plenty about.
Well known road destinations like Trollstigen /Atlantic Road will probably, like Applecross, come with caravans / cyclists impeding progress & your enjoyment of the scenery. Also like Applecross however there are other things to see and enjoy a short ride away. That being said Trollstigen/Atlantic Road/Geirangerfjord are absolutely worth being in a bit of traffic for.
When I say "in traffic" - it is relative to very recent experience, it has a different meaning there.
I remember sitting at a red light trying to remember when I last saw traffic lights & not being able to figure it out.
I heard exactly 1 British accent while I was in Norway, after seeing my number plate a slightly drunk looking chavy lad loudly hailed me with "Aye mate you inglish?" - not being in the mood to make a drinking buddy at 2pm and as I still had my helmet on to hide my smile I just shook my head went about my business.
I saw a couple of tip-overs from people who I'd wager were unaccustomed to the combination of terrain & the load they were carrying through switchbacks at low speeds, maybe hit a few up if you're unsure before you go.
Tunnels are also very common, I would recommend a pinlock as in the (exceedingly frequent) rain humidity goes from normal to rainforest very quickly.
Carry cash that is accessible with your gloves on - it will make crossing Fjords quicker & drier - by not opening your jacket / getting the inside of your gloves wet if it's raining heavily - I ended up attaching a little body wallet to the side of my tank bag.
Fuel anxiety wasn't an issue - petrol stations are sufficiently well signposted that the absense of signage is a signal that you may need to plan. I had a tablet with OsmAnd on for the removal of doubt though. I've since bought a Tom-Tom but don't use it for routing on holidays as turn-by-turn directions really ruin the travelling experience for me - the speed / camera warning nag has saved a few points though!
I'm leaving again on Aug 14th (It was supposed to be 1st July but real life got in the way) without return passage booked. My plan is to head quickly north to see Lofoten/Troms/Finnmark, maybe come back down through Finland - or relax on the Hurtigruten - I'll let weather + wallet fatigue decide my return route mostly.
Can't wait!
Fast food is hilariously expensive, if your cooking from campsites & buying ingredients (as opposed to meals) it isn't too bad.
Do not be surprised if it rains for every one of the 16 days.
I had no problems with Midges etc (possibly all drowned) - but they often don't bother me that much in the Highlands either.
Obvious things - they drive on the "right" side of the road, the speed limits are in kmh (national being 80kmh), excess is not tolerated, the standard of roads & driving is generally very high, English was either very well spoken or my hideous attempts at Norsk well tolerated everywhere I visited, after adjusting the abundant hours of daylight was utter bliss for biking / camping.
I was very glad I put new tyres on before I left, I only noticed one bike shop near Bud and I wouldn't like to think what a new set of rubber would cost, although garish signage is less prevalent there and I wasn't exactly searching them out so I'm sure there are plenty about.
Well known road destinations like Trollstigen /Atlantic Road will probably, like Applecross, come with caravans / cyclists impeding progress & your enjoyment of the scenery. Also like Applecross however there are other things to see and enjoy a short ride away. That being said Trollstigen/Atlantic Road/Geirangerfjord are absolutely worth being in a bit of traffic for.
When I say "in traffic" - it is relative to very recent experience, it has a different meaning there.
I remember sitting at a red light trying to remember when I last saw traffic lights & not being able to figure it out.
I heard exactly 1 British accent while I was in Norway, after seeing my number plate a slightly drunk looking chavy lad loudly hailed me with "Aye mate you inglish?" - not being in the mood to make a drinking buddy at 2pm and as I still had my helmet on to hide my smile I just shook my head went about my business.
I saw a couple of tip-overs from people who I'd wager were unaccustomed to the combination of terrain & the load they were carrying through switchbacks at low speeds, maybe hit a few up if you're unsure before you go.
Tunnels are also very common, I would recommend a pinlock as in the (exceedingly frequent) rain humidity goes from normal to rainforest very quickly.
Carry cash that is accessible with your gloves on - it will make crossing Fjords quicker & drier - by not opening your jacket / getting the inside of your gloves wet if it's raining heavily - I ended up attaching a little body wallet to the side of my tank bag.
Fuel anxiety wasn't an issue - petrol stations are sufficiently well signposted that the absense of signage is a signal that you may need to plan. I had a tablet with OsmAnd on for the removal of doubt though. I've since bought a Tom-Tom but don't use it for routing on holidays as turn-by-turn directions really ruin the travelling experience for me - the speed / camera warning nag has saved a few points though!
I'm leaving again on Aug 14th (It was supposed to be 1st July but real life got in the way) without return passage booked. My plan is to head quickly north to see Lofoten/Troms/Finnmark, maybe come back down through Finland - or relax on the Hurtigruten - I'll let weather + wallet fatigue decide my return route mostly.
Can't wait!
Second to most everything that sjh wrote. Food is outrageously expensive and alcoholic beverages are even more so. Zero language problems. GPS may take you off on "seasonal" roads which are either mud or still icy in summer. Be ready to be wet every day and you may be snowed on.
It's worth it.
We rode Sweden and the coast of Norway 3 years ago and it's absolutely bucket-list stuff to do again with more time.
It's worth it.
We rode Sweden and the coast of Norway 3 years ago and it's absolutely bucket-list stuff to do again with more time.
Willie_S
New Member
Thanks for sharing your experience. Much appreciated.
John35
New Member
I'm planning on going to the FIM Rally in Sweden in July 2017
http://fim-rally2017.com/
http://fim-rally2017.com/